Review: D’Angelo at Club Nokia

As I attempt to start this morning, I realize I’m still recovering from a musical hangover D’Angelo’s “Second Coming Tour” dealt a few hours ago. I can barely open my eyes and my head’s still pounding from Chris Daddy Dave’s drums. All of this a small price to pay for what I, sitting in the front row of a sold-out crowd, witnessed last night. After experiencing the wonderful unexpected whirlwind of the “Black Messiah” surprise drop in December after 14 years (and laughing at all the critics who’d locked down their top album lists too early), I thought I’d be ready. I should have known better.

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Attending my first D’Angelo show ever in 2012 (his first in 12 years in LA) where he previewed some of his next album and unveiled his new band, The Vanguard, D’Angelo’s magnetic energy and performing ability didn’t miss a beat, as if he never left, with no rust shown from the break. We all knew we were lucky to be there as one person actually verbalized during the show, standing near me. Fast forward three years later with new album in tow (which deserves all the award nods it should receive- Grammy Recording Academy, I’m talking to you), D’s in rare form. With swagger, an occasional smile and sex appeal, D and V (who my friend perfectly summed up when she said “This band is tight!”) tore through the 2.5 hour set which obviously prominently featured and took “Black Messiah” to another level. “Back To The Future Part II”, “Sugah Daddy”, “The Charade” and “Betray My Heart” into “Spanish Joint”….Goddamn. If this tour passes through your city, GO. Enough said.